About Journey Across America

Stu Mittleman talking to the children at Solana Vista Elementary School in San Diego, California on May 1st, 2000. Just minutes before he began his “Journey Across America”

On May 1, 2000, Stu Mittleman, widely considered America’s greatest ultra-distance runner, will embark on a 3200 mile transcontinental run across the United States. Averaging two marathons a day in blistering summer conditions, Stu will travel through eleven states over 90 days in a Herculean undertaking he has christened Journey Across America.

The impetus behind this incredible test of endurance originated with Stu’s concern over the growing evidence of inactivity in American children. Determined to set an example for his own son and daughter, Stu hopes Journey Across America will inspire parents nationwide to encourage their kids to develop healthy lifestyle habits.

“Clearly, we need to be doing more to help kids understand the importance of healthy daily activity,” says Stu. “I hope running across the country resonates with both parents and their children and sparks enthusiasm about being active as a family.”

Stu will kick off his coast-to-coast run from the Solana Vista Elementary School in San Diego, California, where his two children, Beau and Mackenzie, are currently enrolled in the third and fifth grade. Taking a slight detour to touch the Pacific Ocean, Stu will embark on a national route, which will take him through eleven states, including Arizona, New Mexico, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and ending in New York City.

With growing support behind Journey Across America, Stu’s project has burgeoned into a major opportunity to enrich services and programs dedicated to the growth and development of children. As Stu runs state-to-state, Journey Across America will generate fun and creative initiatives that will benefit local and national organizations committed to helping kids, including The Anthony Robbins Foundation and The Aubrey Fund for Pediatric Cancer Research at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. Recognizing the positive impact of Stu’s efforts, national sponsors have generously provided the resources necessary to make Journey Across America possible. Without the support of Acumen, Inc., Clarus, eXernet.com, MerlinWater, the Lyon’s Magnet Company, and Saucony, Stu would be unable to make this enormous personal commitment to the health and vitality of the nation’s children. Stu is also indebted to the many men and women who will support his efforts on a day-to-day basis as he crosses the country. The success of Journey Across America greatly hinges on the details and underscores the enormous role volunteers will play in allowing Stu to turn his full attention to the rigors of the road and the initiatives he will lead along the way to help kids.

Daily updates of Stu’s progress across the country, as well as entries from Stu’s diary, highlights from Journey Across America events, profiles of sponsors and ways individuals can support Stu’s efforts will be available by logging on to www.exernet.com